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In case my few readers here have not been keeping up with the ecosophia site's open post comments, here's a copy of what I posted this week (my invitation extends to everyone here, too):

We frequently talk about the necessity of finding something we each feel is worth saving and passing on through the times and I've been casting about for a while for something I could do. Considering my proclivities, I recognized that printing technologies were where I ought to turn. My letterpress daydream is impractical for me for several reasons and so I turned to the various duplicating methods that are smaller if not portable, cheaper, and more flexible. Yep, I'm talking about mimeographs (stencil duplicators), hectographs, and dittos (spirit duplicators).

I would like to invite anyone who is interested in such things (or at least in their potential output) to visit my new website that is up and running with the first part of a two-stage project: https://www.mimeographrevival.com. As I state in the introduction, as a site to collect and disseminate as much information about mimeographs (etc.) to whoever wants it, "Mimeograph Revival exists to aid in the rescue and restoration of our dwindling stock of mimeograph machines, to collect resources for their repair, to explore their historical importance, to make room in the collective imagination for their continued use, and to encourage inventors and tinkerers to add to the knowledge pool so that much-needed supplies and parts can once again be made available."

I've got two machines in nearly-ready condition that I'll be learning on and using and I am planning to have a catalog of items that (I hope) might be of interest to Ecosophia readers (and I'll be putting out calls for submissions for some of the ideas I've already got). I'd love to hear ideas that anyone here might have as well, whether in this month's post, by email (gmail account using my user name here), or at Mimeograph Revival itself. The ideas bouncing around include an Amateur Press Association-style mailer/bundle (thanks Justin Patrick Moore for that tip!), serialized or short public domain works that should see print/circulation, homeschool resources, occult works and correspondence-course-type things, collections of art/poetry/stories, newsletters, and zines ... really, there are lots of options.

I'm new though, and this is early days, but I'm excited to take this step and to invite you along with me. 

***If I might step into my new role for a moment, I'd like to ask if any of Ecosophia's Indian readers would be interested in helping me research whether or not a critical mimeograph tool is still manufactured in India (something I've not been able to ascertain). I would be extremely grateful for help.***
temporaryreality: (Default)
 I forgot to mention yet another ongoing project that I'll add to my updates when those come around.

I've decided to learn to sew my own clothes.

I'm trying to think back to what spurred it and I think somewhere mid-lockdown I went to the big box store to see if they had some 100% cotton camisoles that I used to get from the girls' department. The XL fit me and the tops are useful summer pajama tops or for layering under shirts. They're a little short, but they mostly work for what I want.
Turns out though, that they're not longer made in 100% cotton.
  • So much for that.
Also, 
  • I hate shopping.
And, 
  • I pretty much find I don't particularly care for the clothes I DO find when I shop
Admittedly that's mostly at thrift stores, but that's because I hate shopping and I don't like the clothes anyway, mostly (self-reinforcing circle, amirite?).

And then
  • I was spending too much time online, frittering time away and doing nothing productive.
  • Meanwhile despondent at the lack of beauty in the modern world.
To be honest, I wish I could build a house as part of a neighborhood, with a community in a small, similarly-built town, in a place that wasn't a blight on the land, but I'm middle-aged, unskilled, and not in any place or situation to do such a thing.

But why give up?

Oddly enough, the epiphany hit while I was online, but at least it spurred me to recognize what I was doing (simulacra of life, not living). I saw a delightful YouTube video by Elin Abrahamsson in which she makes a Medieval kirtle, and I realized that I should just do what I can.

I stopped being online in the evenings, got out my needles and thread and fabric and found some basic, beginner patterns, and I've been making clothes.

So far, I've made a linen tank top, a pair of pants styled from the traditional Japanese field-pants called monpei, and attempted a mock-up for a pair of shorts. I'm not satisfied with how the shorts turned out, so it's on hold (and anyway, the weather is turning). I also made a pair of basic leather sandals, following this tutorial.

I intend to make a linen shift and maybe eventually make a kirtle or kirtle-like dress, and turnshoes are on my to-do list too. 

I'm going to work on improving my sewing skill and technique, and to work my way into eventual wardrobe replacement. It'll be a long process (like everything I do, it seems!).

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